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Reasons for Having a Period Every Two Weeks

 
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Menstrual Cycle related image Andres Rodriguez/PhotoSpin

The menstrual cycle occurs in all females from the onset to puberty (average age 11 or 12 years) to the menopause in middle age (average age between 45-55). The lining of the uterus is shed via vaginal bleeding when a girl or woman has not conceived a pregnancy.

The menstrual period lasts between two days and seven days, usually occurring once every 28 days, although anything from once every 24 days to once every 35 days is considered normal.

If you are having a period more than once every 24 days, it is considered an irregular cycle.

Having a period once every two weeks, or twice a month is abnormal and you should see your doctor because you may become anemic if you are having very frequent periods. They are sometimes a sign of infection or other medical problem that would need treatment.

Reasons for a period every two weeks could be:

• Dramatic weight loss or gain -- This changes the hormones in the body and these are responsible for directing when the period will start.

• Excessive exercise -- This too disrupts hormones.

• Stress -- Exams, family argument, financial worries, divorce, even a holiday can cause a temporary change in your menstrual cycle.

• Illness and/or medications -- Some medications can affect your cycle. Talk to your doctor about altering or stopping your medication if you think this is happening.

• Uterine problems such as polyps, cysts, fibroids or tumors (either benign or cancerous).

• Sexually transmitted infections -- These can cause bleeding in between periods which can be mistaken for a period.

• Thyroid problems -- Thyroid disease could cause a thickening of the uterine lining, resulting in more bleeding than normal.

• Reactions to contraceptive methods -- Sometimes the pill, depo provera injections or the copper-only IUD can result in a change in your cycle.

~ The pill and IUD can make you bleed in between periods, known as "breakthrough bleeding" and this may be mistaken for a period.

~ The IUD can also make your periods heavier.

~ The depo-provera injection can make your cycle irregular, however, it often stops your period altogether instead of making it more frequent.

~ Sometimes changing or stopping your method of contraception can cause a sudden drop in hormones and this can result in a change to your cycle.

• Onset of menopause -- In women aged 45 and over, having periods every two weeks can be a sign that you are about to go through menopause. It can be a sign of ovulation beginning to shut down. If you are under 45, having irregular periods in addition to other symptoms commonly associated with menopause, may signal premature ovarian failure.

Treatment

Sometimes treatment is not necessary, for instance, if the disruption in cycle is due to stress, weight loss or gain, or illness, it may be temporary and may correct itself in time.

However, to rule out other possibilities your doctor will perform a pelvic examination. Your doctor may also take a sample of the uterine lining as well as doing an ultrasound scan to see if there are any obstructions in the uterus, such as fibroids.

If any obstructions are found, you can be referred for surgery to have them removed. If any cancer is found, you will be referred to an oncologist who will plan your care with you.

Sexually transmitted infections can be treated with antibiotics (and the use of condoms to prevent further infections). Your partner may have to be treated as well.

If the problem is caused by a contraceptive device or medication, this can usually be changed to stop the problem.

Heavy and/or frequent periods can sometimes be controlled by certain brands of the pill. If you find they are really disrupting your life, for instance, you are bleeding through your clothes, have to miss work days and can’t plan your holidays, this may be an option depending on your medical history.

Hormone treatment could also be given in this scenario, if you have thyroid disease or if you are starting menopause.

Sources:

Periods, Heavy. NHS Choices. Web. 26 May 2012. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods-heavy/pages/introduction.aspx

Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia). WebMD. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
http://women.webmd.com/guide/heavy-period-causes-treatments

Top Ten Causes of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. About.com Women's health. Retrieved May 27, 2012. http://womenshealth.about.com/od/abnormalbleeding/a/causemenorrhagi.htm

Irregular Periods Every Two Weeks, 34 Menopause Symptoms. Web. 26 May 2012.
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/irregular-periods/articles/irregular-periods-every-two-weeks.htm

Premature Ovarian Failure, National Insititute for Child Health and Human Development. Web. 26 May 2012. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Premature_Ovarian_Failure.cfm

Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/ She is the mother of five children and practices natural childbirth, delayed cord clamping, full term breastfeeding and organic food diet.

Reviewed May 28, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Add a Comment221 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Help me.. i got periods 2 times in a my past month. And then now this month its above 25 days that periods did'nt occur..

January 27, 2017 - 2:52pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

How old are you?

If you are an adolescent who has just started to menstruate, that could be the reason. The menstrual cycle can be irregular in the early years.

If you are in your 50s, this could be a sign of early perimenopause. As hormone levels fluctuate, the menstrual cycle becomes irregular.

Regards,
Maryann

January 30, 2017 - 10:11am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hello' I have also a same problem since December 12' 2016 ' I am 30 years old and mother of 2 kids and happily married ' this is first time in my life my periods did start 12th of December 2016 and it was normal 6 or 7 days then I was fine and again my periods started 2nd of januray 2017 till 6th of januray ' and then stoped ' Ang now again start 18th of januray with flow and clots but no abdominal pain ' but I am facing problem with my legs are stretching ' I am worried plz help ...and advice...'

January 22, 2017 - 3:59pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

You need to be examined by your physician. Consider scheduling an appointment with your gynecologist, who knows you and your medical history.

Regards,
Maryann

January 30, 2017 - 10:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I just had my period like the beginning of January and now I got it again? And I don't know what to do

January 19, 2017 - 12:28pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi,my period has been flowing for 2weeks now.in the second week,the flow of blood reduced but it comes out with water.sometimes the blood is brownish.am confused.do I have an infection?

January 8, 2017 - 8:11am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have normal periods, Although this year my period has been slightly irregular. Starting in June of this year, i noticed that I was spotting two weeks after my period. Then after spotting for 4 days, I got my period again two weeks later. Then in early July, I was Spotting again on the 7th, then my period on the 30th. August, September, and October were regular periods a month apart. November which was last month I spotted a little and got my period at the end of the month. And right after that period, I was off for about a week then more Spotting, and the following week , which is now, I have my period again! Idk what's going on with my body. I've never had irregular periods and have never spotted this much. I just turned 27 and I'm only sexually active with my boyfriend of 8 years. I havent had a dramatic change in my weight and am positive it's not an std or sti. I'm thinking I may go to urgent care and get referred to a specialist. I made an appointment to see my doctor and nothing is open until January.. I don't want to wait that long. Please help!

December 14, 2016 - 7:35pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

January is only weeks away, and you have been experiencing this since June. You could visit an urgent care center, but honestly this will not be looked upon as urgent.

Regards,
Maryann

December 15, 2016 - 9:58am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm 26 and right now my husband and I are working on kid number two. Yesterday my ovulation test came back positive, fourteen days in, and today it seems like I'm suddenly having my period. Of course the pregnancy test today came back negative, like the last few I've taken sadly, and I don't believe I'll be able to get any accurate results for another few weeks. I've had months with double periods only a few times before so is it just a horrible coincidence that I've having one again, if it's even possible after testing positive for ovulation. Or is it more likely something might be wrong? As of right now my doctor's only advice is to wait a little longer but I'm scared and hopeful it might have something to do with getting pregnant.

November 28, 2016 - 11:24am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

I can appreciate how you must be feeling. All that you can do is follow your doctor's advice and wait.

Regards,
Maryann

November 29, 2016 - 9:56am
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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